Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a plurality of start values. The player selects one of the start values, as part of a game sequence. During the game sequence, the gaming device increments the start value to an apparent award. The gaming device in one embodiment enables the player to keep the apparent award or trade it for another apparent award. The other apparent award in one embodiment is derived from one of the other start values. After one or more keep or trade sequences, the player achieves one of the apparent awards. The gaming device then performs a sequence in which the apparent award changes into an actual award. The gaming device provides the actual award to the player.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein a combination of bonus symbols trigger a bonus game and any one of the bonus symbols in the bonus game provides a player with an award. The award may be an extension of the bonus game by providing the player with additional spins or games. Also, the award may modify the combination and type of bonus symbols needed to enter the bonus game. Furthermore, the award may modify the award values in the bonus game. Therefore, a combination bonus symbols trigger the bonus game and also triggers the gaming device to provide bonus awards in the bonus game. The re-triggering symbol award bonus scheme changes the probability of winning for the player and therefore creates a higher level of excitement and enjoyment of the game.

Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus game with an adjacent selection feature. In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device provides a plurality of adjacent player selectable selections. An award is associated with each player selectable selection. The award associated with each selectable selection is not initially displayed or revealed to the player. The player selectable selections are arranged or grouped into a plurality of associated or related selection sets. In one embodiment, each selection set has a different number of player selectable selections. In one embodiment, the related plurality of selection sets are arranged adjacent to each other to enable each player selectable selection in one set to be adjacent to at least one player selectable selection from another selection set. The player's pick in each selection set limits the available selections in the subsequent selection sets.

Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus game with an adjacent selection feature. In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device provides a plurality of adjacent player selectable selections. An award is associated with each player selectable selection. The award associated with each selectable selection is not initially displayed or revealed to the player. The player selectable selections are arranged or grouped into a plurality of associated or related selection sets. In one embodiment, each selection set has a different number of player selectable selections. In one embodiment, the related plurality of selection sets are arranged adjacent to each other to enable each player selectable selection in one set to be adjacent to at least one player selectable selection from another selection set. The player's pick in each selection set limits the available selections in the subsequent selection sets.

Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus game with an adjacent selection feature. In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device provides a plurality of adjacent player selectable selections. An award is associated with each player selectable selection. The award associated with each selectable selection is not initially displayed or revealed to the player. The player selectable selections are arranged or grouped into a plurality of associated or related selection sets. In one embodiment, each selection set has a different number of player selectable selections. In one embodiment, the related plurality of selection sets are arranged adjacent to each other to enable each player selectable selection in one set to be adjacent to at least one player selectable selection from another selection set. The player's pick in each selection set limits the available selections in the subsequent selection sets.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game is provided. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.

Abstract: A gaming device including a re-initiation mode wherein the probability of extending the bonus game is increased by fixing the reel or reels displaying a wild symbol on the reel. In the re-initiation mode embodiment, the gaming device re-activates some or all of the reels except the reel displaying the wild symbol for a predetermined number of free spins or until the reactivated reels display or indicate a wild symbol on the reels. The gaming device provides any outcomes associated with indicated symbols or combination of symbols. In one embodiment, if a predetermined number of wild symbols are displayed on designated reels, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming device having a plurality of locations including a destination location, a player symbol and an award associated with a plurality of the locations. The gaming device includes a setback condition associated with one of the locations, wherein when the player symbol moves to the location having the associated setback condition, the player symbol is relocated based on the setback condition to one of the locations further from the destination location and an advance condition associated with one of the locations, wherein when the player symbol moves to the location having the advance condition, the player symbol is relocated based on the advance condition to one of the locations toward to the destination location. The player symbol is moved to at least one and preferably a plurality of the locations and the player is provided any awards associated with the locations of the player symbol until the player symbol is moved to or beyond the destination location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a bonus game with an adjacent selection feature. In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device provides a plurality of adjacent player selectable selections. An award is associated with each player selectable selection. The award associated with each selectable selection is not initially displayed or revealed to the player. The player selectable selections are arranged or grouped into a plurality of associated or related selection sets. In one embodiment, each selection set has a different number of player selectable selections. In one embodiment, the related plurality of selection sets are arranged adjacent to each other to enable each player selectable selection in one set to be adjacent to at least one player selectable selection from another selection set. The player's pick in each selection set limits the available selections in the subsequent selection sets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a free spins game including a plurality of reels, an outcome and a plurality of sections associated with the outcome. The gaming device or player activates the reels to indicate a designated symbol combination including at least two section indicator symbols. When a designated symbol combination including the section indicator symbols is indicated on the reels, the gaming device obtains the corresponding section. The gaming device or player continues to activate the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the game or until all of the sections are obtained. The gaming device then provides the outcome to the player.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a plurality of start values. The player selects one of the start values, as part of a game sequence. During the game sequence, the gaming device increments the start value to an apparent award. The gaming device in one embodiment enables the player to keep the apparent award or trade it for another apparent award. The other apparent award in one embodiment is derived from one of the other start values. After one or more keep or trade sequences, the player achieves one of the apparent awards. The gaming device then performs a sequence in which the apparent award changes into an actual award. The gaming device provides the actual award to the player.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game is provided. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein a combination of bonus symbols trigger a bonus game and any one of the bonus symbols in the bonus game provides a player with an award. The award may be an extension of the bonus game by providing the player with additional spins or games. Also, the award may modify the combination and type of bonus symbols needed to enter the bonus game. Furthermore, the award may modify the award values in the bonus game. Therefore, a combination bonus symbols trigger the bonus game and also triggers the gaming device to provide bonus awards in the bonus game. The re-triggering symbol award bonus scheme changes the probability of winning for the player and therefore creates a higher level of excitement and enjoyment of the game.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a bonus game with an adjacent selection feature. In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device provides a plurality of adjacent player selectable selections. An award is associated with each player selectable selection. The award associated with each selectable selection is not initially displayed or revealed to the player. The player selectable selections are arranged or grouped into a plurality of associated or related selection sets. In one embodiment, each selection set has a different number of player selectable selections. In one embodiment, the related plurality of selection sets are arranged adjacent to each other to enable each player selectable selection in one set to be adjacent to at least one player selectable selection from another selection set. The player's pick in each selection set limits the available selections in the subsequent selection sets.